Container closing means



April 20, 1937. R BUKQLT 2,077,984

CONTAINER CLOS ING MEANS Filed Oct. 10, 1935 r 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 1937- I R. B. BUKOLT 2,077,984

' CONTAINER CLOSING MEANS Filed Oct. 10, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f a f v I n v 4 I I 4 t r r a n 5 i fllfmlll awuewboz Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNI-TED STAES are? osr cs 21 Claims.

The invention aims to provide a new and improved closing means for paint pails or cans, drums, barrels and other containers, said closing means being of such construction that it may be readily removed to allow use of part of the container contents, and again applied as tightly as before.

In carrying out the above end, a further object is to provide a novel toggle-and-lever-action snap-ring for holding the closing means seated upon the container. This snap-ring is downwardly springable from a released position in which it inclines from its outer to its inner edge in conical form, to an applied position in which it declines from said outer to said inner edge in funnel-like form, said snap-ring acting as a toggle and exerting a lever action to pry the closing means to and hold it in closed position.

Another object is to provide for forming the normally conical snap-ring, from a substantially flat transversely split ring. This flat ring is of greater diameter than the normally conical snap ring to be formed therefrom, and a sufiicient space is left between the ends of said snap-ring to allow it to be sprung radially inward to the desired diameter. This springing converts the flat ring into conical form and places it under tension, providing the desired snap-ring.

A fulcrum shoulder is provided to engage the peripheral portion of the snap-ring, said ring forcing upwardly on said shoulder while prying downwardly upon the closing means. In one form of the invention, the fulcrum shoulder is formed on a removable band connected with the container, and a further object is to provide novel connecting means between said band and its container which cannot be released without downwardly moving the band. Such downward movement being prevented by the snap-ring, there is no danger of the connecting means becoming accidentally released.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. l is a sectional view through the upper portion of a container which may be considered as a paint pail or can, showing the cover in place and illustrating the snap-ring partially sprung downwardly toward effective position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the snap-ring completely sprung downwardly to hold the cover seated upon the container.

;,Fig., 3 is a topplan view partly, broken away,

showing the completely closed and. sealed container.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the relative diameters of the snap-ring engaging means of the container and the flat ring which is to be sprung into conical form to form the snap-ring. V Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a simplified construction. 6 is a vertical sectional view through a form of construction well adapted for drums, barrels and the like, the snap-ring being shown in its normal inactive position.

Fig.7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the snap-ring snapped to lowered operative position. a a V Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the flat ring from which 'thesnap-ring is formed.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the reduced sized and conical form into which the ring of Fig. 8 is sprung to form the snap-ring.

Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of a portion of a flat ring from which to form the snap-ring, said flat ring being formed from a straight metal strip by corrugating one edge portion thereof.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view on line H-H of Fi 10.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the container I2 is provided with an outwardly rolled rim' forming an upwardly facing gasket seat l3 and a downwardly projecting annular flange M. A metal band [5 which is transversely split at It (Fig. 3) encircles therolled rim of the container and is provided at its lower edge with an upwardly projecting flange H. which is inter-hooked with the flange 3 It. The upper edge. of the band i5 is provided with an inwardly projecting flange l8 whose lower side constitutes a fulcrum shoulder which is disposed in upwardly spaced relation with the seat l3.

' A metal cover I9 is provided to removably engage the upper end of the container, said cover being provided with an upwardly and outwardly curved rim portion 20. A gasket 2!, preferably in the. form of a rubber tube with its ends secured together, is interposed between the cover rim 2!] and the seat l3.

A toggle-and-lever-action snap-ring 22 has its peripheral portion inserted under the flange l8 and engaged with the ridge or rim 20, said snapo ring normally inclining from its outer to its innor edge in conical form as seen at the right and left of Fig. 1 but being downwardly springable to' a position in which it declines from said outer. edge to said inner edge in funnel-like form,

as seen in Fig. 2. The ring 22 is under tension when in either of these positions and this tension holds the ring in the lowered operative position of Fig. 2, in which position, said ring forces upwardly on the flange I8 of the band I5 and pries downwardly upon the rim or ridge 20 of the cover I9. In moving from the position of Fig. 1 to Fig. 2, the ring has a toggle-action and also a lever-action causing it to forcibly depress the cover I9 and compress the gasket 2I to tightly seal the container. The upward push of the ring 22 upon the band I5 also holds the flanges I4 and I1 engaged with each other.

The normally conical snap-ring 22 is forme from a flat ring shown at 22' in'iFigs. 4 and 8. The diameter of this flat ring is greater than the internal diameter of the band I5 directly below the flange I8, and said ring is transversely. split, suiiicient space 23 being left betweentheends of this ring to allow the latter to be sprung radially inward to the proper diameter for reception within the band I5. The inward springing of the ring places it under tension and imparts to it a conical form to provide the snap-ring 22. While this ring 22 is shown in conical form, detached from the remainder of the closing means in Fig. 9, it would never remain in this form under such circumstances, but would convert itself into flat form and enlarged size.

After application of the gasket 2 I, cover I 8 and band I5, one end of the flat ring is inserted under the flange I8 and the rest of the ring is progressively inserted under said flange, thus contracting the ring, placing it under tension, and causing it to assume conical form. One end of the ring is now sprung downwardly as shown at 24 in Fig. 1 and by successive downward pushes, said ring is progressively sprung downwardly throughout about half of its circumference and when this has been done, the remainder of the rin snaps downwardly due to the stored-up tension. The snap-ring is then in the position shown in Fig. 2, in which it holds the cover tightly closed and holds the flanges I4 and 11 against disengagement from each other.

To open the container, by the use of a suitable tool or tools, the ring 22 is snapped again to the normal conical position shown at the right and left of Fig. 1, starting with one end of the ring and working toward the other end thereof. The ring 22 may then be entirely disengaged from the flange I8 by progressively prying it out, one end of the ring being provided with a notch 25 for engagement with a screw driver or the like to permit this end to be first pried out of the groove (between I8 and 20). After removing the snap-ring 22, the band I5 may be pushed downwardly to disengage its flange I! from the flange I4, whereupon said band may be sprung outwardly and entirely detached from the container. The cover I9 may then be lifted and any or all of the container contents discharged. If the container be only partially emptied and it be desired to again seal it to preserve the remainder of the contents, the parts may be easily re-applied and upon again springing the ring 22 to the position of Fig. 2, the sealing operation will be'complete.

In Fig. 5, the upper end of the container 28 extends outwardly at 29 to provide a seat for a gasket 30, then extends .upwardly at (H and inwardly at 32, forming a receiving groove and a fulcrum shoulder for the snap-ring 33 which may be considered as identical with the ring 22; The cover 34 is similar to the cover I8 and when the ring 33 is snapped downwardly to the operative position shown in Fig. 5, said ring rocks upon the ridge or rim 35 of said cover, compressing the underlying gasket 30. 1

In Figs. 6 and '7, the upper end of a barrel side wall or the like 36 is bent to form a receiving channel 31 for a heavier channel-ring 38, said ring having a wide lower flange 39 and a narrow upper flange 40, the former constituting a seat for the gasket M and the latter providing a fulcrum shoulder forthe snap-ring 42. This ring may be considered as formed in the same manner as the ring 22.

The cover 43 in Figs. 6 and 7 is provided with a vertical wall portion 44 to loosely engagethe inner edge of the flange 39. is further provided with a lateral flange 45 torest on the gasket 4|, and is still further provided with an upstanding flangeor ridge 46 to engage the snap-ring 42. When this ring is snapped to the lowered position shown in Fig. 7, it exerts more downward pressure on the outer edge portion of the flange 45 than upon the inner edge portion thereof, necessarily springing said flange somewhat. To

provide for even contact between this flange and i ring, this divergence disappears due to down- 5 ward springing of the outer edge portion of flange 45, insuring that the gasket M be uniformly compressed.

In Figs. 10 and 11, a portion of a flat transversely split ring 4'! is shown, from which to form a snap-ring such as any of those herein previously described. The ring 41 is formed from a straight strip of metal by corrugating the latter along one edge as shown at 48. These corrugations yield when theflat ring is converted into a conical snap-ring and yield also when this snap-ring is sprung from one position to another when applying and releasing it.

Preferably, the ends of the ring 22 are provided with openings 26 to receive a seal wire 21.

It will be seen from the foregoing that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the objects of the invention. Preferred details have been shown but within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous variations may be made.

I claim:-

1. A container closing means comprising a cover to be seated on the container, a downwardly facing fulcrum shoulder carried by the container in close relation with the peripheral portion of said cover, and a lever-and-toggle-action snapring having its peripheral portion interposed between said fulcrum shoulder and said cover, said snap-ring normally occupying a released position in which it inclines from its outer to its inner edge but being springable downwardly to an applied position in which it declines from its outer to its inner edge and remains under tension, said snap-ring then forcing upwardly on said fulcrum shoulder and prying downwardly on said cover to seat the latter.

2. A container closing means comprising a cover to be seated upon the container, said cover having a peripheral ridge on its upper side, a downwardly facing fulcrum shoulder carried by the container in close relation with said ridge, and a lever-and-toggle-action snap-ring having its peripheral portion interposed between said fulcrum shoulder and said ridge, said snap-ring normally occupying a released position in which it inclines from its outer to its inner edge but being springable downwardly to an applied position in which it declines from its outer to its inner edge and remains under tension, said snapring then forcing upwardly on said fulcrum shoulder and prying downwardly on said ridge to seat said cover.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1; said snap-ring being transversely split.

4. A structure as specified in claim 1; said snap-ring being transversely split, and seal means for connecting the ends of the split ring.

5. A container closing means comprising a cover to be seated on the container, said container having an annular portion surrounding said cover and provided with a downwardly facing fulcrum shoulder in close relation with the peripheral portion of said cover, and a lever-andtoggle-action snap-ring having its peripheral portion interposed between said fulcrum shoulder and said cover, said snap-ring normallyoccupying a released position in which it inclines from its outer to its inner edge but being springable downwardly to an applied position in which it declines from its outer to its inner edge and remains under tension, said snap-ring then forcing upwardly on said fulcrum shoulder and prying downwardly on said cover to seat the latter.

6. A container closing means comprising a cover to be seated on the container, said cover having a peripheral ridge on its upper side, said container being provided with an annular portion surrounding said cover, said annular portion having a downwardly facing fulcrum shoulder in close relation with said ridge, and a lever-andtcggle-action snap-ring having its peripheral portion interposed between said fulcrum shoulder and said ridge, said snap-ring normally occupying a released position in which it inclines from its outer to its inner edge but being springable downwardly to an applied position in which it declines from its outer to its inner edge and remains under tension, said snap-ring then forcing upwardly on said fulcrum shoulder and prying downwardly on said ridge to seat said cover.

7. A container having closing means including a transversely split lever-and-toggle-action snapring, said container being provided with a groove receiving the peripheral portion of said snapring, said ring being declined from its outer to its inner edge when in active position and having a tendency to expand .and assume a substantially fiat form.

8. A structure as specified in claim 5; said snap-ring being transversely split and having a tendency to radially expand but being held against such expansion by said annular portion of the container.

9. A container closing means comprising a seat on the container, a band surrounding and projecting upwardly from said seat, said band having a fulcrum shoulder spaced above said seat, connecting means between the band and container, said connecting means being releasable by downwardly moving the band with respect to the container, and closing means cooperable with said seat and including a lever-and-toggle-action snap-member having its peripheral edge inserted under said fulcrum shoulder, said snap-member when occupying a downwardly snapped position serving to hold the closing means in engagement with the container and forcing upwardly on said band to prevent release of said connecting means.

10. A container closing means comprising a cover to be seated upon the container, a band surrounding said cover and having a downwardly facing fulcrum shoulder spaced above said cover in overlying relation therewith, means connecting said band with said container, said connecting means being releasable by downwardly moving said band with respect to the container, and a lever-and-toggle-action snap-member having its peripheral portion interposed between said fulcrum shoulder and the peripheral portion of said cover, said snap-member when occupying a downwardly snapped position forcing upwardly on said fulcrum shoulder and prying downwardly on said cover, thereby tightly seating the cover and preventing disconnection of said band from the container.

11. A structure as specified in claim 9; said band being transversely split to facilitate removal from the container upon release of said connecting means.

12. A structure as specified in claim 9; said connecting means comprising inter-hooked flanges on said band and container.

13. A structure as specified in claim 9; said connecting means comprising inter-hooked flanges on said band and container, said band being transversely split to facilitate removal from the container when said flanges are unhooked.

14. A lever-and-toggle-action cover-holding snap-ring inclined transversely into frusto-conical form and formed from resilient metal, the inclination of said ring being sufficiently slight to allow snapping of said ring to a reversely inclined cover-holding position.

15. A lever-and-toggle-action cover-holding resilient metal ring of substantially fiat form and transversely split, the space between the ends of said ring occupying only a small portion of the ring circumference to allow said ring to be sprung to a contracted position in which it assumes a sufi'iciently slight transverse inclination to allow it to be snapped to a reversely inclined position.

16. A structure as specified in claim 15; said ends of the ring having openings to receive a seal wire.

17. A structure as specified in claim 15; the inner edge portion of said ring being transversely corrugated.

18. A lever-and-toggle-action cover-holding snap-ring formed from resilient metal and slightly inclined transversely into frusto-conical form to adapt it for snapping from one transversely inclined position to a reversely inclined position, said ring having a transversely corrugated inner edge portion.

19. A container-closing means comprising a seat on the container, a band surrounding and projecting upwardly from said seat, connecting means between the band and container, said connecting means being releasable by downwardly moving the band with respect to the container, and closing means cooperable with said seat and band, said closing means acting downwardly on said seat and upwardly on said band to prevent release of said connecting means.

20. A structure as specified in claim 19; said band being transversely split to facilitate removal from the container upon release of said connecting means.

21. A structure as specified in claim 19; said connectingmeans comprisinginter-hooked flanges on said band and container.

ROMAN BLACE BUKOLT. 

